Citing glowing recommendations from his colleagues at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the surrounding local law enforcement community, the Board of Supervisors Tuesday appointed Assistant Sheriff John McMahon to replace Sheriff Rod Hoops who retires Dec. 31.

Hoops caught the county off guard when he abruptly announced on Nov. 7 he was retiring to take a job with a Washington D.C.-based think tank, Police Foundation, headed by former Redlands Police Chief Jim Bueermann.

Intent on appointing someone within the Sheriff’s Department to fill Hoops’ shoes, the board chose McMahon, whose supporters described as the hardest working person in the department – ethical and a man who leads by example.

“The right man for the job at this time is none other than our Assistant Sheriff John McMahon,” said Supervisor Gary Ovitt, who served on an ad hoc committee with board Chairwoman Josie Gonzales that oversaw the selection process.

McMahon said he was honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead the organization he has been a part of for 27 years and said he plans on running for election in 2014 to hopefully continue as the county’s top cop.

“There are some great men and women in this department who come to work to serve the citizens of this county, and it’s my honor to lead them,” McMahon said.

The board’s appointment wasn’t without controversy.

The board formed the ad hoc committee on Dec. 4 but Ovitt was not present at the meeting because he was on vacation. He didn’t return until last week, leaving some questioning his overall involvement in the selection process.

In addition, candidate Paul Schrader, a Rancho Cucamonga resident and Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who unsuccessfully ran against Hoops in 2010 and was vying for the appointment, thought he would at least get a chance to be interviewed for the job.

“You should have at least talked to us,” Schrader said Tuesday, addressing the board during its regularly scheduled meeting. “You don’t know anything about me, but you based a decision on people from the inside.”

Another bunch of acting. Let’s play it out. John McMahon is crowned king of the county. He looks stunned as Josie the shit eating elf crowns him. He is so humble and makes a statement and how greatful he is. This could’ve been a play from some shit hole writer.

This county needs to wake up. McMahon knew what was going on since Hoops opened his suck and said he wanted McMahon. For him to act like this was a surprise, HA. Backdoor and backside deals.

A recall for Josie would be the best thing for this county. My God listen to her on the video from the sheriff’s hearing. She is so STUPID. Every word she speaks. OMG-Idiot.